BELOVED Teenagers and Eating Disorders Sarah Gavin

What is an eating disorder? Serious but treatable illnesses with medical and psychiatric aspects. Anorexia, bulimia, and bing eating disorder (BED) – diagnosable “Other specified feed or eating disorder (OSFED). Eating disorders often coexist with a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive- compulsive disorder. Obsession with food, body image, and weight. Very serious, chronic, and can be life-threatening

Who gets eating disorders? Females AND Males As young as elementary school Being diagnosed in their 30s, 40s, and older All socioeconomic classes Stats Up to 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder Highest mortality rate of any mental illness 95% are between the ages of 12 and 25

Anorexia Nervosa A disorder in which an individual refuses to maintain minimally normal body weight, intensely fears gaining weight, and exhibits a significant disturbance in his/her perception of the shape or size of his/her body. 15% below ideal body weight Heart failure (caused by slow heart rate, low blood pressure; the use of drugs to stimulate vomiting, bowel movements, or urination; or starvation, which can also lead to brain damage) Brittle hair and nails; dry skin, soft hair (lanugo) Mild anemia Swollen joins Reduced muscle mass Long-term constipation Osteoporosis

Bulimia Nervosa A person binges on food an average of twice weekly in a three-month period, followed by compensatory behavior aimed at preventing weight gain. This behavior may include excessive exercise, vomiting, or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, other medications, and enemas. Erosion of tooth enamel Inflammation of the esophagus Enlarged glands near the cheeks Stomach damage Irregular heartbeat Heart failure Electrolyte imbalances (can lead to sudden death) Peptic ulcers Pancreatitis Long-term constipation

Binge Eating Disorder Consuming an amount of food that is considered much larger than the amount that most individuals would eat under similar circumstances within a discrete period of time. High blood pressure High cholesterol Fatigue Joint pain Type II diabetes Gallbladder disease Heart disease

Signs and symptoms-emotional Changes in attitude Expresses body image complaints Constantly comparing self of others Incessant talk about food, weight, shape, cooking, exercise Obsessive thinking about food—labels food good vs bad Inflexible about diet without reason Appears sad/depressed/anxious/ashamed/embarrassed Emotions are flat or absent Intolerance for imperfections in academics, eating, social life etc. Target of weight bullying Spends a lot of time at home Reluctant to ask for help Unwilling or unable to acknowledge recent changes

Signs and symptoms-physical Sudden weight loss, gain, or fluctuation in short tim Complaints of abdominal pain Feeling full or “bloated” Feeling faint, cold, or tired Dark circles under the eyes or bloodshot eyes/burst capillaries around eyes Calluses on the knuckles Dry hair or skin, dehydration, blue hands/feet Lanugo hair (fine body hair) Fainting or dizziness upon standing; frequent fatigue Thinning, dry hair

Signs and symptoms-behavioral Diets or chaotic food intake; pretends to eat, then throws food away; skips meals Creates rigid dietary rules Exercises for long periods-obsessional attitude Constantly talking about food Difficultly sitting still Makes frequent trips to the bathroom Makes lists of food and calories eaten Wears bagging clothing Avoids cafeteria, works through lunch, eats alone Shows some type of compulsive behavior (hand washing; hoarding) Denies difficulty with food or body image

Common myths… EDs are just a teenage girl problem They will grow out of it Purging only involves self-induced vomiting As soon as they gain weight, they will be just fine Too young EDs are a choice. Snap out of it! Everyone has an ED these days! It’s just an ED, that can’t be a big deal. Eat a sandwich! Anorexia is the only serious ED If they say they are fine, I should believe them Disordered eating is a dieting fad. NBD As long as someone isn’t emaciated, they aren’t that sick EDs are all about food

What can we do?

How YOU can help! Have a relationship with parents Educate yourself Watch what you say about your self-image You are NOT their savior….or their psychiatrist Take their pain to the Cross Follow through with relationship after they share their struggle Have nights/class about Eating Disorders Talk to their friends about it-educate and support them